So you have a little free time? (a.k.a. things to do in LA)

Here are just a few of the many things to do during your trip to LA...


Getty Center http://www.getty.edu/
This museum is located across the street from the synagogue, just one mile north of the Hotel Angeleno on Sepulveda Boulevard. It has art from all genres, activities for kids, great architecture, beautiful gardens, and a fantastic view of LA and the ocean! There is no admission charge, you pay only for parking. Guests of the Hotel Angeleno can request free drop-off and pick-up there.

Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org/
Another mile or two north on Sepulveda Boulevard is the Skirball Cultural Center. This is a fantastic destination for Jewish history and culture, from antiquity to the modern era. Their permanent exhibit, Visions and Values, is well worth seeing and they have two other exhibits going on in September: Noah's Ark (a real ark!, need tickets in advance) and Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People.

Santa Monica
Head west until you hit the beach :-) Santa Monica has the beach, a pier complete with rides, and Third Street Promenade. It's a great place to while away an afternoon and it was the location of Ronnie and Melissa's third date!

Venice Beach
Venice is a funky little town with good beach and "must see" LA beach culture. There are a lot of artists and little shops on the boardwalk.

Beverly Hills
Drive east on Wilshire or Santa Monica until you start seeing expensive stores. It's a nice place to walk around and the streets off of Rodeo have stores that cost less than a year of college -- but where's the fun in that? Don't try to park in the neighborhoods nearby, as it's all permit. Instead, bring coins and park in one of the meter-operated lots off of Santa Monica Boulevard.

La Brea Tar Pits http://www.tarpits.org/
For something really different, visit the La Brea Tar Pits and the associated Page Museum. Learn about the saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths that lived in Los Angeles during the last Ice Age. The tar pits are next to LACMA (see below) and Hancock Park.

LACMA http://www.lacma.org/
Through September 14th, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is showing an awesome exhibit of Japanese art! We know it's awesome because we went. They also have an exhibit of LA Chicano painters, African art, and a large permanent collection. LACMA is next door to the La Brea Tar Pits and Hancock Park.

If you're looking for a day trip...

Disneyland
The name says it all. It's much quieter on weekdays than weekends, but the traffic to get there is lighter on a weekend. It will take at least an hour each way to get there.

Santa Barbara / Santa Ynez
About an hour and a half north of LA, Santa Barbara has a wonderful laid-back beach culture, State Street for strolling, shopping and eating, and a restored mission that tells great local history. Further north in the Santa Ynez Valley, you'll find tons of wineries (our favorites are Koehler, Blackjack and Foxen) and beautiful scenery.

We hope you enjoy your time in LA, and please let us know if you have any questions!